February 26th, 2015 by Nico Lund

Just heard that this morning Bandaloop, an Oakland based vertical dance performance group, will perform a pop-up performance on the front (North side) of Meany on at 10:20 and 11:20am. Weather permitting.

February 17th, 2015 by Nico Lund

Appeal of U-District Upzone to 340′ Towers Filed By Local Housing & Community Groups

With plans for dramatic upzones that some believe could displace low income residents and small businesses, local citizens fight to maintain the character of the U-District.

On Feb 6, the Seattle Displacement Coalition, Interfaith Task Force on Homelessness, University District Community Council, & University Park Community Club filed a joint appeal of the final environmental impact statement (FEIS) recently issued by the city for the planned upzone of the University District to 340′ towers.The grassroots groups argue that more is needed in order to comply with city and state environmental laws and fully inform the City Council of the consequences of such an upzone. They believe it would “dramatically alter the unique character of the district and displace hundreds of low income households and minority owned businesses.”They also argue that “no consideration is being given as to how these massive changes in zoning will affect a host of other identified elements of the community’s environment including especially impacts on parking, traffic, mass transit needs, open space, and other infrastructure needs.“The Council is scheduled to consider and vote on this upzone later in the year.You can check out the Final Environmental Impact Statement here on the seattle.gov website.The organizations whose members live and work in the U-District make this community their home, and believe this appeal is a necessary first step in a broad grassroots campaign to turn back this upzone.To get involoved, have your say or for more information, contact John V. Fox 206-632-0668 (SDC), Barbara Quinn 206-523-2612 (UPCC), or Ryan Vancil (Attorney) 206-842-7811.

What a better way to forget about Valentine’s Day, if you’re one of those people, than by listening to a discussion on wildlife sciences, animal welfare, geography, anthropology, literature, and political science.

This five-part Seattle Arts & Lectures coursewill be hosted at the Henry and features a distinguished set of speakers to explore human/animal connections in a range of global and historical contexts, including Renaissance France, contemporary Peru, and urban and rural spaces in the United States.

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URBAN BUSH WOMEN at Meany Theater

Everyone Likes a Great Dance Performance. Join Arts UW for this Inspired Show:

Celebrating 30 years as an unstoppable force in American dance, Urban Bush Women continues to make visceral, politically-charged work that is electric and inspiring. With Hep Hep Sweet Sweet, founder and choreographer Jawole Willa Jo Zollar presents an earthy and provocative new take on the music and culture fueled by the Great Migration that emerged at jazz clubs in Harlem and Zollar’s native Kansas City. The program also includes Walking with ‘Trane, a work inspired by the life of John Coltrane and his seminal jazz suite A Love Supreme, with live music by pianist George Caldwell.

February 13th, 2015 by Nico Lund

With The New No-Compost in Trash Rules, it’s time to Learn How to Compost and Turn Your Garbage into Gold.

Seattle Tilth in Partnership with the city of Seattle offers training for Volunteer Compost Educators this Spring at Seattle Tilth.

If you haven’t been paying attention, the city of Seattle now prohibits food waste from going in the garbage.

Because food waste in landfills is a big problem, accounting for nearly one quarter of methane emissions in the US, it’s time to take that useful material and transform it into ‘gardener’s gold’.

There is no debate whether or not compost offers tons of benefits. – reducing global warming, storm water pollution and waste, while building healthy soil and growing healthy plants.

Now in its 30th year, Seattle Tilth is inviting the community to come participate in theirMaster Composter / Soil Builderprogram in partnership with Seattle Public Utilities to train community members to become compost educators.

Here are the Detail from Seattle Tilth on how you can get involved!

Community members participate in 28 hours of classroom learning, hands-on practice and field trips. Learn how to compost while learning about soil science, natural yard care and recycling!

Training includes eight sessions during four weeks starting on Tuesday, March 24 in Seattle’s Wallingford neighborhood (4649 Sunnyside Ave N). After the training, Master Composters contribute 35 hours of volunteer outreach teaching practical techniques to other community members. Volunteers work on projects of their own choosing – at schools, churches, community centers, businesses and community gardens.

Apply by March 14The Master Composter program is for Seattle residents only. King County residents who live outside of Seattle are encouraged to apply to similar programs we offer in King County. Applications are dueMarch 14. Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.

February 10th, 2015 by Nico Lund

Start-up from San Francisco Really Knows How to Speak to Hungry Seattleites by Inviting them to Enjoy $1 Paseo Sandwiches Delivered Curbside Within 10 Minutes!

They’re calling the kick-off event the “Dollar Hype Meal”

Whatever they call it, offering Paseo sandwiches speaks to our Seattle Hearts. Especially after the scare that we would be loosing Paseo forever when they abruptly closed last year.

So, what’s the deal?

Spoonrocket, an on-demand meal delivery start-up from San Francisco, is launching on the University of Washington campus to deliver good food, fast to any curb within 10 minutes. The company is kicking off its arrival by partnering with Paseo, Seattle’s top Caribbean restaurant, to offer $1 sandwiches to customers who order through SpoonRocket on Wednesday, February 11th from 11:30 am to 1 pm all students are invited to grab a $1 and experience the magic of SpoonRocket for themselves.

The idea for SpoonRocket started with Steven Hsiao and Anson Tsui while at UC Berkeley. They shared a mission to revolutionize fast food by delivering affordable, gourmet meals in a matter of minutes. Seattle is their second city to launch in.

SpoonRocket will feature Paseo’s most popular menu item, its Caribbean Roast Sandwich, as part of Wednesday’s offer. The sandwich is a slow roasted, pork shoulder coated in Paseo Marinade and is regularly available for $8.50.

To participate in Wednesday’s Hype Meal, customers can order online at www.spoonrocket.com or download the app on Wednesday, February 11th between 11:30 am and 1 pm. Food is available while supplies last and will be delivered on February 11th during service hours.

Hungry folks, take note: Orders are limited to one sandwich per customer.

February 3rd, 2015 by Nico Lund

On a recent walk to Cowen Park at the end the North end of University Ave, there was loud rustling in the bushes as teens from the YMCA Earth Service Corps worked to restore habitat.

The YMCA Earth Service Corps provides teens in our communities with a curriculum of environmental education. Through service projects, field trips, and outdoor adventures, the YMCA hopes to facilitate these students to become strong, confident, and responsible environmental leaders.

I spoke with Jeff, the director of YMCA-ES and volunteer Randi who shared with me a little about the program. They said that they go from park to park and facilitate the work with the teens from area high schools. They go to different parks every month. Follow their progress on their Facebook Page.

To help this organization continue to empowers students, check out their website. This innovative youth-led program helps teens take a hands-on role in creating a healthier environment in their schools, communities and region while nurturing a respect for diversity within the natural world.

January 30th, 2015 by Nico Lund

The popular University District Wayward Vegan Cafe has left their University Ave. location and will now serve up delicious vegan diner-style comfort food in the Roosevelt neighborhood.

Yeah, it’s a little extra trek for u-district locals, but when you see their new space, you’ll understand why it was an awesome decision.

However, to help you deal with a little confusion that you might experience, just know that just up the block there is Wayward Coffeehouse that is a totally different business. Both Serve coffee, but the Wayward Vegan Cafe is —you guessed it– a Vegan Restaurant, and the Wayward Coffeehouse is –you’ve got it!– a coffeehouse!

Okay, glad we have that cleared up! Both are rad establishments but with totally different vibes. It will be interesting to see how these two businesses with the same name will weather their close proximity! I called Wayward Coffeehouse who declined to reveal their stance on the issue stating that they “don’t typically engage in media regarding topics such as this one.” Hmm? WVC say’s that they “expect to peaceably co-exist and now if someone shows up at the wrong one, they won’t have far to travel!”

Although not a vegan myself, my family and I lean towards animal friendly menu’s and have often enjoy the creative dishes at the WVC. I am excited to see how this new location with outside light streaming in, a balcony, way more seating and a new identity will improve upon WVC’s already positive standing in the north-end food community.

Loyal customer will be pleased to know that in addition to continuing to serve Rachel’s Ginger Beer on tap (and still filling growlers), they will be adding cocktails.

WVC wants their U-district regulars to know that “for vegan food you love, and not having to bus your own table and refill your coffee!” they think it’s totally worth the walk!

Here’s how you can be the first to experience the new location, see what’s new or the same on their menu, enjoy the freshness of their new green walls, or be the first to get served on their balcony (that’s what I aim to do):

Opening day at new location (801 NE 65th st.): Saturday January 31st 9am!